Mohamed Diame and Nikica Jelavic excelled in Hull City's 4-2 defeat to Manchester City at the KC Stadium, but after another torrid day for the Tigers' defence, Brad Rial asks if the fun factor can really be a substitute for points on the board?Michael Dawson exposed. Time for James Chester?
After 15 minutes of today's game, it looked as if the visitors were on course to better their seven-goal haul against Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, so easily did they slice through the Tigers' defence.
Sergio Aguero could have had a hat-trick and Michael Dawson, in particular, struggled to cope with his speed and trickery.
Dawson's lack of pace was badly exposed and if it wasn't for the Argentine's wastefulness in front of goal, the former England man would have been made to look very silly indeed.
Like the rest of his teammates, Dawson grew into the game and his second-half performance was much-improved as City tightened it up at the back.
Dawson is a defender who likes to have the game in front of him. If he has time to read a situation and see a ball coming, he is fine. This was exemplified in the second half by a number of expertly timed challenges in six-yard box.
But when he is made to turn and face his own goal, his deficiencies become clear. It is hard not to compare his game to the bench-warning James Chester, whose coolness on the ball was dearly missed. City continue to leak goals in Chester's absence and, whether or not it means a switch back to 3-5-2, I for one would welcome his return.Man-of-the-match Nikica Jelavic punished for his one mistake
The onus was on Nikica Jelavic to repeat the spiky performance that got Vincent Kompany sent off in the same fixture last season and his performance today was strong enough to win the fans' vote for man of the match.
He held the ball up admirably and his first touch – which has let him down in the past – was almost always very good. Against a side of Manchester City's quality, that's vital if his teammates are going to have a chance to regroup and retain possession.
The one time he failed to make it stick, he – and City – were punished. Receiving the ball on the halfway line, the Croatian allowed the ball to escape him for a split second, enough time for the Blues to nick it.
Manchester City duly broke and scored through Edin Dzeko. It's incredibly harsh to blame Jelavic, but it was a case in point that, against the very best sides, the tiniest of mistakes are punished.
While he was unable to add to his tally of three league goals this season, it wasn't through a lack of effort. He desperately wanted to take the penalty and when he lost the argument with Hernandez, he appeared to have a little sulk. But when the Uruguayan tucked the spot kick away, Jelavic was quick to congratulate him and they enjoyed a loving embrace. It's great to see two strikers hungry for goals.
Jelavic is quickly becoming a very important member of this City side.Mohamed Diame dominant against Yaya 'the tank' Toure
The £3.5m fee paid to West Ham by the Tigers for Mohamed Diame is looking like more of a steal with each passing week. Once again today, he was an almighty presence in the centre of the park.
Against the human tank that is Yaya Toure, he was dominant and the majority of the Tigers' good work came through him. Diame is not all hustle and bustle, though; there is a degree of delicacy and poise to his game.
This was on show in the build-up to the penalty. He played a neat one-two with Abel Hernandez before the striker was felled. The part Diame played in hauling City back into the game was crucial.Liam Rosenior is Mr Dependable
Liam Rosenior was restored to the starting XI for this one and, unsurprisingly, he was as dependable as ever. He linked up brilliantly with Ahmed Elmohamady down the City right in the first-half and provided the cross that led to Eliaquim Mangala's own goal.
Rosenior and Elmohamady seem to have an almost telepathic understanding so it's perhaps surprising that Steve Bruce doesn't start the pair together more often. As well as providing an attacking outlet, Rosenior gives City a solidity in the right-back area – something Elmo has never quite managed to provide.We've got the fun factor, but we really do need a win now
As disappointing as it is to see City throwing away leads and leaking goals, there's no denying that it makes for entertaining football. For a fourth game in a row they have scored twice and, while defensive frailties are an obvious concern, Steve Bruce's men are fun to watch if nothing else.
Without a league win since the opening day of the season, however, next week's game against Crystal Palace all of a sudden looks very important indeed.
The way City are playing right now, don't rule out another six-goal thriller. But fans will undoubtedly settle for a scruffy 1-0 win to halt a worrying run of results ahead of daunting trips to Arsenal and Liverpool.
